EDSAC

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Hardware description

EDSAC was the world's first practical stored program electronic computer, although not the first stored program computer (see the Small-Scale Experimental Machine). As soon as EDSAC was constructed, it immediately began serving the University's research needs. None of its components were experimental. It used mercury delay lines for memory, and derated vacuum tubes for logic.

Related Topics:
Stored program - Small-Scale Experimental Machine - Mercury delay line - Vacuum tube

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In 1953, David Wheeler, returning from the University of Illinois, designed an index register as an extension to the original EDSAC hardware.

Related Topics:
David Wheeler - University of Illinois - Index register

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